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THE RETURN OF VIDAL HAZELTON (PART II)

There are no guarantees in life
and no one probably knows that better on the UC football team than
Vidal Hazelton.

Heralded as UC's answer to the
departure of Mardy Gilyard, Hazelton saw his 2010 season end
prematurely at Fresno State after six catches for 68 yards and three
kickoff returns for 41. On one of the kickoffs, Hazelton went down
and was diagnosed by Dr. Angelo Colosimo and Head Football Trainer
Bob Mangine with a torn ACL.

"I didn't think it was that bad
when it first happened," said Hazelton. "I got up and felt like
normal. They said I was going through a lot of adrenaline in a game.
They just told me to sit out."

Hazelton was hardly sat since.

Sure, he had the corrective
surgery, but he's attacked the rehabilitation of his knee with as
much determination as he had on the playing field. From the start,
Hazelton has professed that he'd be back on the field this season.

Part of that has been because his
prognosis for an extra year of eligibility doesn't appear to be
favorable. Typically, student-athletes are given five years to get
four seasons in. As short as his tenure was in this season, it is
fifth overall as he had to sit out last season after transferring
from USC.

Most have assumed since day one
that having Hazelton on the roster for 2011 was a long shot.

"It's up to the coaches and
stuff and it's up to compliance," said Hazelton. "The way it's
looking, it's not looking too good."

Because of that harsh reality and
because UC could possibly sneak in the back door of a bowl game by
winning out, the rumblings of Hazelton making a "reappearance"
this season are back.

At least in #7's eyes.

"Could be this week, next week,
whenever the docs say," said Hazelton.

As Hazelton spoke, he carried a
knee brace that would become part of his attire later in the day at
practice.

"If I'm playing, I've got to
play with a brace just to be safe," said Hazelton. "My knee's
feeling pretty good. Range of motion is back and I'm just going to
continue to strengthen it."

So, is he playing and when?

Well, no mention was made of it
during Tuesday's press conference by Coach Butch Jones. Also,
there's been no medical release distributed by UC. Maybe it's all
just wishful thinking on the part of a departing Senior, but it would
make a nice story.

"Everything is looking good so
far, every test they've put me through I've passed it," said
Hazelton. "I'm going to go out and practice and see how I feel.
This week is on a practice to practice basis."

IF he does pull off playing AFTER
surgery on his ACL, he'll be the first since undersized DL Tony
Carvitti did it during the 2006-07 season. Like Carvitti, Hazelton
has made remarkable progress. Most of us with the same injury would
still be hobbling about and complaining about rehab.

"I've been ahead for a while
now," said Hazelton. "I've been working really hard. It takes
a lot of hard work."

The hard work has never stopped
for Hazelton. After being denied initial eligibility in 2009, he
worked with the scout team in practice with 2009's Sugar Bowl team.
Then, he labored in the offseason and the spring as new coaches and
offensive ideas were being introduced.

Following that, was another
August at Camp Higher Ground where he was easily established as a
starting receiver, if not the #1.

Then came the first game in
Fresno. A return to California for Hazelton that turned tragic when
he went down on kickoff return. From there, we'll never know how
this season may have turned out. Maybe UC would still be 4-6, but
most feel without significant injuries they would've been much
better.

"That's definitely not how I
wanted to go out as a Bearcat," said Hazelton.

Perhaps that can now be changed.
Perhaps even a cameo by Vidal Hazelton could inspire this team to
dig deep and eek out these last two wins to gain entrance to some
bowl somewhere.

"I think it would definitely,"
said Hazelton when asked if his comeback to boost the team. "Just
to tell a lot of people that are injured right now that no matter
what injury you're going through, you can get back if you put you're
mind to it."

The native of Staten Island, New
York confesses that he's not run 100 percent yet, but has been
running a number of routes. You also must factor in that he's been
without contact since early September and not quite used to "game
speed".

None of that can dissuade a
determined young man.

"I'm a little bit nervous,
that's just a confidence thing," said Hazelton. "Once I get out
there and get going, I'll get more confidence. That's about it.
These guys have been making plays all year, I'm not going to step on
anybody's toes."

It's all about finishing what he
started and Hazelton like many, would like to go out on his own
terms. Life's about playing the hand you're dealt.

Whether or not Coach Butch Jones
has an "ace up his sleeve" remains to be seen.

"It's tough not because I sat
out a year, but because I never had a major injury," said
Hazelton. "Just to overcome it, I've got to be proud of myself for
how I handled it."

Either way, you can bet Vidal
Hazelton's courage and efforts to return have been noted...and
hopefully rewarded.